Bad Teeth Can Ruin Your Day

March 16, 2009

niece

Million dollar smile. Not just any cute kid, but the cutest kid ever, my niece.

When I was a kid I did seriously dumb things. Take for example the time I stole $20 out of my dad’s wallet, because I had to have candy. When pulled aside and questioned, I didn’t deny it. I told him my dead grandmother returned from the grave and told me to steal it.

This was 1980, so I was 5, but if that makes me sound old, let’s pretend I wasn’t born until 1985, which would make me younger, not old, certainly not in my 30’s where I am spending endless days researching the latest greatest plastic surgery options that will be available to me when I need it. That’s right, plastic surgery will be a need someday, not a want.

But if I had known that my love for candy would leave me where I am today, if my father had told me what candy does to your teeth, if I had done the research back when I was 5, if, if if….

If only.

My dentist told me yesterday that I have 3 cavities that needed attention asap. As if, had she not said asap it would somehow seem less urgent. Oh, I get it. It’s either get the fillings now, or wait a year and lose my teeth.

I like my teeth, I think I’ll keep them.

While I brush and floss at least once a day, as oppose to say, my boyfriend with the Colgate smile that never flosses and somehow seem to never get cavities, I had three. *sigh*

The dentist wanted to examine my oral hygiene, which I admit, made me chuckle.

* I wake up and brush and use some teeth whitening thingy.
* After lunch, I brush.

Night time was questionable, and after further examination, we found a few issues here.

See, I don’t brush my teeth at nights unless I am sure I am done eating. In other words, food taste bad when mixed with toothpaste, so I don’t brush my teeth at nights because I don’t want have to stop eating. Or drinking wine. When Love Monkey* (*real name has been changed to protect identity) announces bed time, I get up from my computer, take my wine with me and place it on my night stand, just in case I want more. Oh, let’s not forget the Costco case size of Ferrero Rocher stocked in the refrigerator. I grab one too, because you know, wine pairs well with chocolate.

The first obvious, and rhetorical question was: how am I not fat? Oh yeah, I’m a meat-head gym rat. Do I drink too much? No, I don’t get drunk, nor do I have blackouts. Could the candy and wine have contributed to my three rotten teeth? Sadly, yes.

Unlike my dad who gave me a good beating for stealing, instead of say, educating on me what sugar would do to my teeth, I am here to share my tips (straight from the dentist), and how to preserve your pearly whites.

  • As frugal and budget-minded people, we are often the ones that will cut anything from a monthly budget that can be cut, including regular dental visits. But, the reality is, these regular dental visits which cost about $300 a year for two visits (if you don’t have insurance), will save you thousands of dollars in dental repair bills as you get older.
  • Of course there are also other things you need do to keep your teeth healthy besides regular dental cleanings, including brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day (after every meal is even better). And flossing your teeth is not over-rated; it really makes a difference, even if you don’t do it every day.
  • If you’re budget is really tight, not only will your dentist give you a new toothbrush at every cleaning visit, but you can ask for some dental floss too.
    Toothbrushes don’t last forever as we may like to believe, once they start to show a little wear they need to be replaced. So by keeping your regular visits to the dentist office you’ll always have a new toothbrush, and so will every member of your family. That will save a small bundle of money as well.
  • If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, you may not know that even children are supposed to be flossing their teeth daily. And if you do have children, please take them to the dentist for regular cleanings.
  • Then there’s sugar, we all know it’s bad for us, and bad for our teeth. I read somewhere recently that drinking sodas with a straw will actually help save your teeth because the sugary soda doesn’t coat your teeth as when you drink straight from the glass. You should also choose sugar-free gum for keeping your teeth healthy, and just skip the candy.
  • It is recommended that you have a dental cleaning and check-up every six months. (The American Dental Association can back me up on this; you can visit their web site at ada.org).
  • It may seem unimportant to you now, but by not having these semi-annual cleaning visits there is also some damage to your teeth and gums that cannot be repaired.
  • Sadly, some people end up just having their teeth pulled because they can’t afford the $1,000 bill to get one repaired… about the same amount they would have paid to get 5 regular cleanings – but in that case they’d have healthy teeth.

    • It’s your money, and your teeth… find a way to keep them both.

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    { 3 comments… read them below or add one }

    Sava March 17, 2009 at 6:51 am

    Great reminder!

    Another thing that is bad for the teeth are those cheese doodles/curly thingys that are coated in that weird yellow powder and toasted hard corn. They’re really difficult to get out from between the teeth and can also cause cavities for kids and adults alike. floss, floss, floss!

    Sherika March 17, 2009 at 12:05 pm

    Sava, those are my favorite!! I’m not sure if its the crunch I love, or the the yellow #5.

    Sava March 17, 2009 at 9:36 pm

    I knew you’d love that naughty yellow #5! I don’t understand how you can eat that stuff and look like you do?! I only have to mention it and it goes to my hips :)

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